Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-11-06
THE RICHMUND DrSfAIuH-SUNDAf, NOVEMBER 6, 1887.

under these same low walls not an arm
length above our heads. We realize all
this SO consciously that her visible
presence would scarce surprise us, and
N our minds eye the bright-eyed.
4niling lady who talks TO us of her far
away grandmother seems bright eyed
and chatty, but by witch juggling is IN
reality a sad eyed, dropping ghost min
ged subtly with q hooking aid ruthless
one, the mingled spectres OF Rebecca
and Ann, n ghost the blood OF whose
own right hand is upon its own left, and
yet which smiles and sparkles as if born
but thirty five years ago.
The whole history of this weirdly-
fascinating manor house is given IN
Uphsm's History of Salem Witch
craft" Readers Hnd there other expert
ence of its eventful existence that makes
it interesting to the sentimental pill
grim besides its blending with the great
colonisl tragedy. 1t was bailt by Gov
ernor Endicott, whose own mansion was
near by, and by him given to one OF hls
sons A loug and bitterly contested law
suit relating to tbis,mauor house. q con-
test which ngitated the whole settlement
and stirred up countless angers and en-
mites. Arraying Reighbor against neigh
Dor and township against township, Is
fully described by MIR. Upham as
having to some extent been the
cause of many Of tine accusations
of witchcraft. 1t is not to he
wondered at that a house changing
owners so often, so speedily, and so ex-
traordinarily should have laid heavy
touch upon the harp OF human feeling.
Not many homestesds have been SO often
a bridal gift in so few months. Cover
dor Endicott's grandson, dying, left 1t to
his widow. contrary TO the Intentions OF
his father, who gave 1t to him. The
widow, marrying less than SIX months
later, gave IL as a weddinggift to her
new husband. A very little time later
she died. and in less than half year her
husband brought his third bride home
TO receive from his hands as a gift the
Danor-house which but so few months
ago was the property OF the Endlcott
fsnily. watching these high-handed
changes from their psrlor windows with
bitter and impotent rage.
The old house, now over $50 years
old. has been in possession of the pres
ent family since their ancestors took It
from the third bride Of the Sey MIR. Al
len, the husband OF the Endlcott widow.
In all these generations no stranger hos
ever owned it. it hHs always been In
the Nourss family, but the Nourse name
has passed away from daughters, has
been changed Tor the one fatnl % their
doomed foIem0ther. the name OF Put
nam. The last OF the Putnam proprie-
tors was Allen Putnam. tue name Allen
having come into vide use in the
family from that same Rev. Mr.
Allies, husband Of the Endicott
widow, and the far-away and utterly IN
conscious cause OF tne iamily's dark re-
nown IN our colonial annals. A genera
ton ago the Noursc name fingered no
more in the house, bat chose OF Allen
and Putnam did. Now ey-E those
nlmes, rife ss they are in what was oDcs
Salem village, now Tapieyv.lle. have
faded away from the manor and the two
widows vho OWE and occupy it, although
of direct Nour-e and Putnam ances
try. are OF alien name. they find
themselves unable 20 hold the property,
and it has been offered for sale HE
poet Whittier some time ago wrate an
appeal 70 the public to bny the house as
a public monument With the sale Of
il by the present ownors will come the
final rupture OF the last link that bound
a singular family history to the scene Of
It's tragic enacting.